Any user who feels aggrieved by any charge to his or her city services fee account may protest the same by filing written notice of such protest with the Director setting forth his or her objections thereto and insuring the payment of the assessed amount. The Director shall review such user's grounds for appeal, render a decision on the protest and forthwith notify the user of such decision in writing within 15 days of the filing of the protest. If the user is still aggrieved, he may, within 15 days of the date of the Director's decision, petition the City Service Fee Appeal Board, which shall set a date and time for the hearing on the protest, which hearing shall be held within 30 days from the filing of such appeal. The Appeal Board shall hear evidence relevant to the protest and shall render its decision on the issues raised at such hearing within 20 days after the hearing, giving notice of its decision in writing to the user and the Director. The user may, within 30 days from the date of the decision of the Board, file a petition, duly verified, with a court of competent jurisdiction, requesting review of the Board's decision. If no such petition is filed within 30 days, the decision of the Appeal Board shall become final and conclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the accrual during the course of the appeal process of any penalty upon the balance of any account ultimately found to be properly charged. A user's appeal shall not be deemed to be upheld if the city or Board fails to meet a deadline contained herein.
(Ord. 1417, passed 3-8-04)